India strangled Pakistan with spin to start the T20 World Cup with a declaration of victory

Quick Scores: India (170/6 in 20 overs) beat Pakistan (106 all out in 17 overs) by 64 runs at Edgbaston, Birmingham

IND vs PAK: HIGHLIGHTS | SCORECARD

India’s spinners used a ruthless spin choke to seal an impressive 64-run victory over Pakistan in a dominant start to their Women’s World T20 campaign. At Edgbaston in Birmingham on Sunday, Smriti Mandhana provided the ideal platform with a classy half-century before the spin duo of Deepti Sharma and Shree Charani swung the contest decisively in India’s favour, leaving Pakistan completely outplayed in familiar conditions.

In front of a record crowd of 18,814, the highest ever in a T20 Women’s World Cup group stage match, Deepti Sharma produced a career-defining spell as she picked up her second five-wicket haul in a T20I as Pakistan were bowled out for 106 in 17 overs. The all-rounder also became the leading wicket-taker in the Women’s T20Is and registered the best bowling figures by an Indian in the format, surpassing Jhulan Goswami’s landmark.

India’s overall performance underlined the growing gulf between the two sides as the contest again tilted firmly in India’s favour. With the win, India moved within striking distance of Australia’s net run rate of 3.25 and will look to carry that momentum into their next match against the Netherlands on June 17.

PAKISTAN KEEP INDIA HUNGRY

Smriti Mandhana in the power play kept the score for India. Courtesy: Reuters

Pakistan would have been pleased with their effort in the powerplay after they struck twice and prevented India from gaining complete control in the first matches. Even as Shafali Verma got India off to a sensational start by smashing the very first ball of the innings for a six, Pakistan immediately hit back through Sadia Iqbal. The left-arm spinner responded brilliantly to dismiss the aggressive opener in the same over, giving her side an early breakthrough.

Pakistan continued to build pressure through disciplined bowling. Captain Fatima Sana led from the front with pure magic as the fielders matched the intensity in the ring. The pressure paid off when Tasmia Rubab justified her selection with a valuable goal from Jemimah Rodrigues to leave India on the power-play two minutes from time.

However, Smriti Mandhana ensured that Pakistan never completely tightened their grip. The elegant left-hander kept the scoreboard moving with intelligent stroke rotation and timely boundaries.

She took on Sadia Iqbal with a pair of fours before punishing Rameen Shamim with a trademark flick and sharp pull. Mandhana’s composure under pressure proved invaluable as she steadied the innings and ensured India stayed within reach despite initial setbacks.

HARMAN, SMRITI LEAD INDIA’S RECOVERY

Harmanpreet Kaur and Smriti Mandhana put on 91 runs. Courtesy: Reuters

After a nervous power play, India staged a recovery through Mandhana and Harmanpreet. Rameen Shamim was particularly impressive after the over, conceding just three runs in a tight spell and not allowing the batsmen to break free, but Mandhana and Harmanpreet did not allow the pressure to mount.

Mandhana rode luck during a dramatic passage of the play. She was bowled out for 27 at mid-wicket when Aliya Riaz misjudged a spin chance and later survived again for 55 when Saira Jabeen dropped a catch at deep mid-wicket that even went for a six. In a dodgy second run, Tasmia Rubab also missed a direct hit, adding to Pakistan’s frustration. Each reprieve allowed Mandhana to settle and grow in confidence.

Harmanpreet then shifted gears against Nashra Sandhu and forged a smooth partnership of 50 runs from 45 balls. She added classy boundaries, including a drive and a swept four, which gave India a vital boost. Together they stitched together a vital 91-run stand for the third wicket, with Mandhana hitting a scintillating fifty off 34 balls. Mandhana eventually ran out of luck and departed for 68 off 44 as skipper Fatima Sana struck to break the dangerous partnership.

RICHA takes responsibility

The Indian innings went through a tense phase in the middle overs where the momentum completely disappeared after a strong start. After the first wickets, the Harmanpreet-Mandhana partnership steadied things briefly, but once Harmanpreet fell for 36, India suddenly lost control.

Pakistan tightened the screws brilliantly, with Nashra Sandhu and the spin unit suffocating the score for more than three overs with no boundaries. But just when India seemed to have stalled, Richa Ghosh came in and changed the pace of the innings completely.

She counter-attacked fearlessly under pressure, refusing to be bogged down by tight lines and field positioning. Her intent changed the momentum immediately, breaking Pakistan’s rhythm and forcing them to be on the defensive.

The turning point came at the death when Richa unleashed a devastating onslaught on Tasmia Rubab and smashed 23 runs in the 19th over, including a towering six and several boundaries. Although she eventually fell for 34 off 17 to Fatima Sana, her explosive cameos reignited India’s innings and ensured they finished with a competitive total after a dramatic surge.

MUNEEBA GIVES PAKISTAN A STRONG START

Pakistan started the chase with emphaty and confidence, showing positive intent from the outset and putting India under initial pressure. Muneeba Ali looked fluid and composed, finding gaps through the offside with ease, while Gull Feroza complemented her with attacking strokes that kept the score ticking at a healthy pace.

The pair cashed in on loose deliveries and took control briefly, forcing the Indian bowlers to search for answers despite some disciplined overs from Arundhati Reddy. Muneeba Ali had a few reprieve, including an early drop from Richa Ghosh and another missed chance from Arundhati Reddy, and these missed opportunities allowed Pakistan to gain momentum and race to a strong opening position of 38 runs.

However, Deepti Sharma stepped in at the crucial stage and broke the dangerous partnership just as it threatened to run away. Feroza fell while attempting an ambitious reverse move, only to find the fielder at backward point.

Pakistan scored 51 runs in the powerplay, their best powerplay against India in the women’s T20I history. But that breakthrough from Deepti set the tone, giving India much-needed relief and slowing Pakistan’s early onslaught in a high-pressure chase.

SPIN AND WIN

After the powerplay, India tightened their grip on Pakistan with spin as the visitors collapsed and lost the last 10 wickets for 68 runs. Deepti Sharma, Shree Charani and Shafali Verma orchestrated a ruthless spin grip that completely dismantled Pakistan’s chase. The trio gradually tightened the noose, denied width, cleverly changed pace and forced constant errors under constant pressure.

Deepti led the charge with unrelenting precision and keen game awareness, breaking partnerships at crucial moments. She lured Ayesha Zafar into a fake shot, with Mandhana taking a sharp catch at short fine leg and later producing a stunning direct hit to remove set batsman Muneeb Ali, who fought hard for 41 off 35 balls. Her control and variation ensured that Pakistan never settled.

Shree Charani complemented her perfectly, striking the very first over to remove Saira Jabeen with a drift and turn before striking again as the middle order crumbled. Shafali Verma then joined the attack and claimed a crucial wicket when Fatima Sana fell for a duck with Smriti Mandhana holding a sharp catch.

From a promising start, Pakistan completely unraveled as the Indian trio spun the clinical throttle, triggering a dramatic collapse and setting India on course for an incredible start to their campaign.

– The end

Issued by:

sabyasachi chowdhury

Published on:

14 Jun 2026 22:45 IST